In 1905, before the war, Edward joined Army militia serving with the Sherwood Foresters before being transferred to the Army Service Corps. By 1911 he ws living in London working as a nightwatchman. Service Record
Edward Coleman, Crich, 980 4/Sherwood Foresters; 1 August 1905; Living at 60 Vernon Street, Shirebrook; aged 17 years 11 months; pony driver;
height 5ft 2¾; brown eyes and hair; tattos – anchor and heart on right forearm, cross flags left forearm; fit for the militia. Next of kin father John Coleman, Crich,sister Etty Marsden, Wood Lincoln, Ripley